Our Correspondents.

Otago Witness, Issue 1417, 18 January 1879, Page 9

Our Correspondents.

/ HYDE. (FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) ' Some time has elapsed since anything of importance has transpired to warrant- my ■ communicating with you. Of general news the ■ only thing of importance is the projected construction of the bridge across the Taieri, the j discussion of which has so often troubled your columns. It would be supeierrogatory to again refer to the matter; wereit'not that the work is now in actual progress, and we . are in the hope of being able to cross over our pet Juggernaut dryshod ere another winter sends its "'tawny flood. ' < > The annual distribution of prizes and ex- 1 animation 'of the Hyde 1 School took place on< the 20th December, the examiner being H. W. Robinson, Esq., Goldfields Warden. Atter a fatiguing examination the prizes were awarded to the satisfaction-of everyone present, Alice Annett securing the dux prize for girls, Oscar Flamank the dux for boys, Kate Mathesoh. and Donald M'Kay being honorably mentioned ' and commended for special prizes. Mr Robinson expressed his extreme satisfaction with the answers of the children, and observed that it must le highly satisfactory to the district to have a teacher who took suoh evident pains in the advancement of his scholars, as did Mr JRitchey, and he did not hesitate to say that ere long the children he was ' addressing would compare favourably with the same number of children in any 1 school in tSKa

province. Master Donald M'Kay (14 years) moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Rubinson for his kindness and patience during the examination of the school, after which the assembled parents and children departed for their homes. Wednesday, 14th January, 1879, dawned upon the inhabitants of Hyde in all the glory of a tropical summer, dispelling the gloomy vaticinations of sundry weather- croakers, who are always ready to cry "wolf." The programme for this day waa a treat; to the children of the Hyde School, consisting of a most substantial repast, i.e., lollies, cakes, biscuits, fruit, and other sundries, and, lastly but not least, a most; judiciously arranged bill of sports. By 1 o'clock the entire inhabitants, with a few exception^ had congtegated to do honour to the occasion of this festal day. Some £10 had been collected for the purpose, and it waa resolved that £5 should be devoted exclusively to the best juvenile athletes, and the consequent amusement of tlie crowd. Messrs Hugh MAuley, William Annett, and Alexander M'Kay, members of the School Committee, consented to act as stewards, they having been instrumental in getting the whole affair so satisfactorily settled. Mr Thomas H. Giles, teacher of Hamilton and Lowburn Schools, kindly acted as judge and handicapper, and one teacher as starter and general supervisor,. After some 16 events had terminated, during which about £5 had been given to the' children who successfully competed, the most enjoyable day that has ever been passed in this district came to its close. Mr B. S. Booth enlivened the proceedings during the day by occasional operatic selections hn the violin, which seemed to be the delight of the fairer portion of the corn* munity. Let me here mention that Mr Booth has proved himself a most will* ing contributor to the amusement of the distritt during his sojourn here. May hia shadow never grow less. In bringing the proceedings to a close, Me, Ritchey asked his scholars to give three hearty cheers to Mr Giles for the very able and courteous way in which he performed his duties of judge, and trusted that erelong they should meet again upon a similar occasion, which might even rival this day which had just terminated. Messrs K'Auley, Annett, and M'Kay, in a few well-chosen remarks, expressed their great satisfaction, both as members of the School Committee and the community, at the unremitting attention of Mr Giles during the day, and were highly pleased with the evident good feeling and friendliness existing between the two sohools. They sincerely trusted that the opportunity of bringing the Hyde and Hamilton schools together for a day's mutual enjoyment similar to the present would not.be lost, and they were t certain if ib could be managed, the respective teachers would do their very best to promote the enjoyment of all. In. the evening Mr W. H. Read provided enjoyment for lovers of the , terpsichorean art, in the large room of the Hyde HoteL Mr B. S. 'Booth presiding at the violin. In conclusion, I may remark again that such a thoroughly enjoyable day and evening has never been spent in this district. May there be many such in the future.